Matt VanOstenbridge relief stints helps Wilson win in 10 innings
Wilson got a home run from freshman Jack Gabel and a scoreless relief effort from Matt VanOstenbridge to outlast Penn Manor 5-4 Friday in 10 innings in a District 3 Class 6A opener at Wilson West.
The seventh-seeded Bulldogs (17-7) walked off with the win when Gabel reached on a two-out error and Rafael Fernandez scored from third.
The win was the 10th in 11 games for Wilson, its lone loss this month coming to Gov. Mifflin 6-3 in the BCIAA championship game.
The Bulldogs advance to play at second-seeded Cumberland Valley (15-4), which had an opening-round bye, in the quarterfinals Monday at 6. The loser will be eliminated.
VanOstenbridge (5-3) pitched the final 3 2/3 innings to pick up the win. He struck out six and didn’t allow a hit. He threw just 40 pitches, meaning he’ll be eligible to throw again in the next round.
The left-hander entered in the seventh after the 10th-seeded Comets (12-9) put a pair of runners on with one out in the seventh. VanOstenbridge struck out the first two batters he faced to end the threat.
Gabel, getting his first start at second base, hit a two-run homer in a four-run third that put Wilson on top 4-0. He also singled.
The Comets got a grand slam from Billy Riggs to tie it 4-4 in the fourth.
It remained tied until the 10th when Nick Fiorini led off with a single and Fernandez was hit by a pitch. Jordan Shutter reached on an error to load the bases with none out.
Right fielder Spencer Stuart turned Mason Sensenig’s fly ball to shallow right into a double play, throwing Fiorini out at home. Fernandez, who moved to third on the throw home, scored when Gabel hit a ball off the heel of second baseman Cole Miller’s glove for an error.
Tommy Hunsicker had a single, double and scored a run for Wilson.
VanOstenbridge combined with starter Nick Crocona and reliever Ben Kulp to strike out 13 batters.
VanOstenbridge started Monday’s Berks championship game on three days rest and Wilson coach Bill Underwood didn’t want the junior to start a second straight time on short rest. He was also hoping to save his ace for the next round.
VanOstenbridge has 74 strikeouts over 50 1/3 innings with a 1.95 ERA.
Underwood said Gabel, who has played shortstop all season, was inserted into the lineup at second base to get another solid bat in the lineup. Gabel is now batting .300 with five RBIs and five runs scored in 20 at-bats.
The top three finishers in Class 6A qualify for the PIAA Tournament.